WELDING FUMES W: 110

RTECS No: ZC2550000

Properties: Vary, depending upon the specific component of the welding fumes. These consist of vaporized metallic vapors from the workpiece, byproducts of oxidation of gases in the atmosphere, cleaning and lubrication chemicals used in welding, and coatings and metal-based paints on the metals being welded.

Uses: Joining or cutting pieces of metal by heat, pressure, or both.

HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION

Symptoms vary depending upon the specific component of the welding fumes; metal fume fever: flu-like symptoms, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), cough, muscle pain, fever, chills; interstitial pneumonitis; A potential occupational carcinogen. Excessive exposure to welding fume can cause a variety of disorders, most notably metal fume fever. It has been estimated that 30 to 40 percent of all welders have experienced metal fume fever at some time ( Abraham 1983, in Environmental and Occupational Medicine , W.N. Rom, ed., p. 146). This disorder, which results from exposure to freshly formed metal fume, causes delayed, flu-like symptoms, including dyspnea, coughing, painful muscles and joints, fever, and chills. Recovery usually requires one or two days away from work. In addition to metal fume fever, exposure to welding fume may damage the small airways, causing interstitial pneumonia ( Abraham 1983).